1 of 6: Largely overlooked in our #WWII history: the role @Mexico played in the Alliance. 78 years ago today, Mexican Pres. Manuel Ávila Camacho declared war on the Axis powers after German U-boats destroyed 2 Mexican oil tankers in the Gulf of Mexico carrying crude oil to the US

2 of 6: The elite Mexican Air Force Escuadron 201, Águilas Aztecas ("Aztec Eagles") flew dozens of missions alongside the @USArmy Air Force (predecessor to the @USAirForce) during the liberation of @TwitterPH, helping to secure Allied victory.

3 of 6: In addition, thousands of Mexican nationals living in the United States registered for military service during World War II, including Macario Garcia, awarded the MoH for wiping out two enemy machine gun nests while badly wounded near Grosshau, Germany.

4 of 6: Soon after coming home form the war, Garcia was refused service at a restaurant in Richmond, Texas, because of his Hispanic nationality!!! He was beaten and arrested w/ assault charges filed against him!!!

5 of 6: Garcia's case became a symbol of the Hispanic civil rights movement. Support poured in for his defense. Richmond County postponed the case and quietly dropped the charges against him. Garcia became a citizen in 1947 and remained an advocate for Hispanic rights.

6 of 6: Today we recognize all of our Hispanic WWII heroes who fought alongside us despite facing inequality back here.

Mexico's role in WWII created the impenetrable bond between our two countries that remains strong today.